Nestable crate for containers

ABSTRACT

A nestable crate for bottles includes a floor portion having a floor top surface, a floor bottom surface and a plurality of bottle support areas. A wall structure is connected to the floor portion and forms a containment area therewith. The wall structure has a peripherally extending upper band portion with an interior surface and an exterior surface, and also has a single-walled lower wall construction comprising adjacent column members which extend between the upper band the and floor portion. The wall structure includes sidewalls and end walls, and adjacent column members have curved facing surfaces extending inwardly into the containment area. The inner surface of the upper band portion, one of the plurality of bottle support areas, and the facing surfaces define a plurality of bottle receiving pockets extending around the periphery of the wall structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a nestable crate fortransporting and storing containers, and particularly bottles.

[0003] 2. Background Art

[0004] Bottles, particularly those used to contain soft drinks and otherbeverages, are often transported and stored in crates having a bottomsurrounded by four sidewalls. These crates generally are configured tobe stacked on top of each other both when empty and when loaded withbottles. These crates are known in the art generally as full-depth andhalf-depth crates. Half-depth crates are shorter than full-depth crates,thus providing for greater visibility of the crates' contents.

[0005] Full-depth and half-depth crates are not designed to nest withone another and do not significantly stack, and thus do not storeefficiently when. They typically have vertical exterior surfaces fromtop to bottom, and minimal wall stock, for providing a minimal overalllength and width to allow for as much bottle density and as little cratestructure as possible, in order to provide for pallet optimization, withlittle or no pallet overhang. The bottom of these crates extendsdownwardly and inwardly offset from the sidewalls defining a cratefootprint. The stacking feature of such crates is typically limited tothis bottom footprint, which is received within the rim of a likecontainer to achieve more stable stack. One design is shown in U.S.Design Pat. No. D 361,663.

[0006] These crates are designed to balance many factors, including theneed for structure and strength against having a footprint appropriatelysized to provide pallet optimization. However, to achieve significantdegree of nesting with such crates, beyond that described above, wouldrequire a larger footprint, a more significant sidewall structure andmore taper in the walls, and therefore detracts from the aforementionedpallet optimization.

[0007] On the other hand a third type of crate, low-depth crates, havegenerally been designed for bottles having a straight, cylindrical bodywith tapering tops. Unlike their half-depth and full-depth counterparts,low-depth crates typically have a led construction with taperedsidewalls—thus leading to greater pallet overhang—in order to providefor a nesting height of typically 50% between like crates. Bottlesplaced in low-depth and half-depth crates extend above the sidewalls ofthe crates. Thus, when loaded with bottles and in a stacked orientation,containers in such crates must be able to support the weight of othercases stacked on top of them. Once loaded with bottles, crates aretypically stacked on top of each other in layers on top of a pallet,which is then lifted and moved about by forklifts. However, many lowdepth nestable crates may lack the features for maintaining loadedbottles in a substantially vertically upright position to bear thecompressive load of crates stacked thereon.

[0008] Further, it is common for entire layers of crates to be liftedand moved about by way of an automated product lifting and handlingdevice which can be installed on a conventional forklift and enables thelifting of an entire layer of product from a pallet. Briefly, suchdevices typically grabs each side of a layer of crates and usecompressive loads to keep the layer intact, transferring forces from thesidewalls of the crate to the bottles therein, to the sidewalls of anadjacent crate, and so on. Unfortunately, some crates may not providesufficient surface area or vertical sidewall construction, which wouldhinder or prevent the use of the automatic handling machinery. The oftentapered sidewalls of a low-depth crate is just one example.

[0009] Thus, there is a need for an improved crate for storing andtransporting containers, and particularly beverage containers. Suchcrate should be nestable to provide for more efficient storing andhandling of the crates when emptied. Further, such crates shouldmaintain bottles stored therein in a generally upright position. Thecrates should also be able to nest with various types of crates,including similar crates and non-similar half-depth and full-depthcrates. Moreover, when similar crates are in a layered orientation, suchcrates should be capable of being lifted by automated lifting machinery.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Accordingly, it is an object according to the present inventionto provide a low-depth crate, which is nestable with other similarcrates when empty in order to provide more efficient storage.

[0011] It is another object according to the present invention toprovide a low-depth crate, which is nestable within empty crates ofsimilar construction and half-depth crates.

[0012] Another object according to the present invention is to provide alow-depth nestable crate, which maintains containers, stored therein ina substantially upright position.

[0013] Yet another object according to the present invention is toprovide a low-depth nestable crate which, when oriented in a layer withsimilar crates, is able to be lifted by automated lifting machinery.

[0014] In accordance with the objects and teachings of the presentinvention, provided is a nestable crate for bottles having a floorportion with a floor top surface and a floor bottom surface. The floortop surface has a plurality of bottle support areas for supportingbottles. Also included is a low-depth wall structure connected to thefloor portion and forming a containment area therewith. The wallstructure has a peripherally extending upper band portion having aninterior surface and an exterior surface. The wall structure further hasa single-walled lower wall construction comprising adjacent columnmembers which extend between the upper band the and floor portion. Thewall structure includes sidewalls and end walls. A plurality of bottlereceiving pockets extends around the periphery of the wall structure formaintaining bottles in a vertically upright manner. Each pocket isdefined by the inner surface of the upper band portion, one of theplurality of bottle support areas, and a pair of facing surfacesdisposed on adjacent column members extending inwardly from the upperband portion into the containment area to secure bottles therein in anupright manner. The pair of facing surfaces preferably have a concaveshape. Further the upper band member has an inner surface with aplurality of nesting members aligned with corresponding column members,such that an outer surface of the column members are configured toreceive the nesting members of a like crate when in a nestingorientation. The nesting members have a double-walled construction. Theband also includes a bottle contact surface that has a curvaturecorresponding to the pair of facing surfaces.

[0015] In another embodiment, the band includes a plurality ofsingle-walled upright concave inner surfaces which are arranged in analternating manner with the columns and are positioned to correspond tothe bottles. The inner surface of the upper band portion includes abottle contact surface adjacent the bottle receiving pocket. The upperband portion and facing surfaces define a window therebetween which isdisposed below the top band.

[0016] Also provided is a low-depth nestable crate for holding bottleswhich has a low-depth wall structure having sidewalls and end walls, anda floor member having a floor top surface and a floor bottom surface. Italso has a band extending around the periphery of the crate and spacedabove the floor member for preventing the bottles from tipping. The bandhas spaced-apart interior nesting projections. Also included is aplurality of columns which are disposed along the sidewalls and endwalls for connecting the band member and the floor member. The columnsare spaced apart and have a nesting window disposed therebetween. Thecolumns have an interior surface and an exterior surface and projectinwardly from the band such that an adjacent pair of columns defines abottle receiving area for containing one of the bottles therein. Theinterior surface of each column has a pair of opposed members meeting ata centrally disposed surface. The exterior surface of the column has arecess to matingly receive corresponding interior nesting projectionsfrom a similar crate nested therebelow. The interior surfaces of thecolumns preferably have a cylindrically concave surface extending from alower column edge to an upper column edge. The band may also include aplurality of upright concave inner surfaces arranged in an alternatingmanner with the columns and positioned to correspond to the bottles.

[0017] The cylindrically concave surface and its adjacent uprightconcave inner surface have a similar curvature radius.

[0018] Any of the crates disclosed herein are preferably arranged tonest within a lower bottle crate having a generally vertical wallstructure having an upper surface, outer surface and inner surface, aswell as a floor attached to the wall structure and defining acompartment therewith. When nested, the exterior surface of the upperwall member of the upper bottle crate disclosed herein is generallyco-planar with the outer surface of the wall structure of the lowerbottle crate.

[0019] The above objects and other objects, features, and advantages ofthe present invention are readily apparent from the following detaileddescription of the best modes for carrying out the invention when takenin connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a nestablebottle crate according to the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the crate of FIG. 1;

[0022]FIG. 3 is a front side elevational view of the crate of FIG. 1,the rear side elevational view being a mirror image thereof;

[0023]FIG. 4 is a left end elevational view of the crate of FIG. 1, theright end elevational view being a mirror image thereof;

[0024]FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the crate of FIG. 1;

[0025]FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the crate of FIG. 1;

[0026]FIG. 7 is a perspective sectional view of the crate of FIG. 1nested within a first prior art half-depth crate;

[0027]FIGS. 8a and 8 b show, respectively, a perspective view and across-sectional view, of a second embodiment of a crate according to thepresent invention nested within a second prior art straight-walledhalf-depth crate;

[0028]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a nestablebottle crate according to the present invention;

[0029]FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the crate of FIG. 9;

[0030]FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the crate of FIG. 9;

[0031]FIG. 12 is a front side elevational view of the crate of FIG. 9,the rear side elevational view being a mirror image thereof;

[0032]FIG. 13 is a left end elevational view of the crate of FIG. 1, theright end elevational view being a mirror image thereof;

[0033]FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along the lines 14-14 of FIG.10;

[0034]FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along the lines 15-15 of FIG.10;

[0035]FIG. 16 is a sectional view taken along the lines 16-16 of FIG.10;

[0036]FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along the lines 17-17 of FIG.10;

[0037]FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along the lines 18-18 of FIG.10.

[0038]FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing two crates of FIG. 9nested and with a bottle disposed in the upper crate; and

[0039]FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the crate of FIG. 9 with bottlesdisposed therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0040] In accordance with the present invention, provided in FIGS. 1-7is a first embodiment of a nestable bottle crate 10 which is suitablefor holding containers 5 (shown as bottles in FIGS. 19-20) therein.Crate 10 is preferably formed from a plastic material, such as highdensity polyethylene (HDPE), by an injection molding or other suitableplastic molding process. Crate 10 is also preferably formed as a unitarymember with all components integrally connected. Containers 5 may beused for beverages and have a generally cylindrical shape. Referring toFIG. 1, crate 10 includes a floor member 12, and also includes a wallstructure that has a top band 14 (or upper wall member) and a pluralityof columns 16 (or lower wall member) extending around the periphery ofthe floor member 12 for connecting floor member 12 to top band 14.Columns 16 are arranged along the sides of crate 10. Crate 10 alsoincludes corner column members 18 at each of the corners of crate 10.The wall structure includes sidewalls 20 and end walls 22. Crate 10 mayhave a rectangular or square shape. A compartment is defined by the wallstructure and the floor member.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1, top band 14 extends around the periphery ofcrate 10 and includes a sidewall 20 having a plurality of bottle contactareas 21 which are illustrated as single-walled, while having adouble-walled construction 23 between adjacent bottle contact areas 21.In addition, end walls 22 are illustrated as having a double-walledconstruction, but may also be formed with single wall portions. Top band14 has an interior surface 24 and an exterior surface 26. Top band 14 isoriented generally perpendicular to floor member 12 and is spaced abovefloor member 12 a sufficient height to prevent bottles stored thereinfrom tipping. As illustrated in a later embodiment of FIGS. 19-20,bottles 5 stored within crate 10 along the side and end walls 20, 22,are disposed adjacent their corresponding bottle contact surfaces. FIG.2 shows that interior surface 24 has a curved or cylindrically shapedbottle contact surface 21, but it is contemplated that it may also be aflat surface.

[0042] Top band 14 provides the desired strength and rigidity to crate10, while allowing for a relatively lighter weight crate by its partialsingle-walled construction. Exterior surface 26 of top band is generallyvertically disposed.

[0043] A handle portion 38 is also included in the band member 14 of endwalls 22 by which a user may grasp crate 10. An opening 40 is disposedbelow handle member 38 through which a user's fingers may extend forhandling crate 10 in association with handle 40. The central end wallcolumns define an inwardly extending nesting ledge 68, which provides anadditional stop during nesting.

[0044] Floor member 12 has an open lattice pattern that provides for arelatively lightweight crate and allows drainage. Floor member 12 isgenerally flat and planar and includes support areas 42 arranged in rowsand columns to define one or more arrays. In the embodiment shown, a 4×6array accommodates 24 20-oz bottles. Of course, this is by example andnot limitation as the crate may be designed to support variousquantities and sizes of bottles, without departing from the teachingsherein. As shown in FIG. 9, upper surface 244 of floor 212 may alsoinclude a plurality of relatively low profile ribs 46,48 extendingupwardly and across upper surface. Such ribs help provide stiffness tobottom 212.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 5-6, floor bottom surface 45 has recesses beloweach receiving area 42 for receiving the tops of bottles 5 disposed in acrate stacked therebelow. The recesses are defined by downstanding ribmembers 49 that impede crate 10 from freely sliding along the top ofbottles 5 beneath it, and makes it less likely that the bottles in alower crate will tip.

[0046] The various embodiments of the crate according to the presentinvention are nestable with similar crates, as illustrated in FIG. 19,which shows a cross-section of crates 210 and 210′ nested together andholding a bottle 5. When in a nested arrangement, upper crate 210 fitsinto lower crate 210′ so that the lower edge 235 of top band 214 restsupon the upper edge 231′ of top band 214′.

[0047] With reference again to FIGS. 1-6, columns 16 along walls 20 and22 of crate 10 that connect floor member 12 to band 14 are positionedbetween adjacent support areas 42 along the periphery of floor member12. The wall structure has window openings 50 between columns 16,adjacent support members 42 and below band 14. Window openings 50 allowfor visibility into crate 10, and also receive surface 21 of a lowercrate when nested. The height of column 16 is sufficient to preventcontainers 5 from tipping when transported, and allow the tops ofcontainers 5 to extend above top band 14. Columns 16 have a generallysingle-walled construction, and have an interior surface 52 and acorresponding exterior surface 54. Exterior surface 54 of column 16includes a centrally disposed recessed area 56 which, when nested with asimilar crate, receives the corresponding inwardly disposed innersurface 64 of top band 14 disposed above and in vertical alignment withcolumn 16 and have a common centerline therewith. Surfaces 64 providenesting support and bottle stability.

[0048] Interior surface 52 of column 16 is generally vertical andincludes angled bottle surfaces 58 and 60 which meet at a centrallyoriented, vertically disposed, inwardly directed lower surface or edge62. In a preferred embodiment, bottle contact surface 21 iscylindrically planar with column surfaces 58, 60. Upper inner surface 64is disposed slightly outward from column inner surface 52, to provide atransition ledge 65 therebetween. Top band 14 is offset outwardly fromcolumns 16 such that nesting is achieved, both with similar crates (FIG.19) and non-similar half-depth crates 400 with a similar footprint andwhich has a generally vertically wall structure, as previously described(FIGS. 8a-8 b).

[0049] Columns 16 should also be strong enough to support the band 14should containers 5 push against band 14. Columns 16 are generallydefined by two arcuate faces 58, 60 intersecting at a central edge 62,and may have a relatively larger area and cross-section at theirbottoms, thus being more robust in their connection with floor member12. Opposed surfaces 58,60 of column 16 have a curvature generallymirroring that of adjacent bottles 5, such that the adjacent facingsurfaces 58 of one column and 60 of an adjacent column cradle thebottles 5 therein.

[0050] With reference to FIGS. 1-2, corner columns 18 do not projectinwardly into crate 10, but remain peripherally disposed, therebyproviding a more secure corner pocket for a bottle stored therein. Thedegree of containment of corner bottle support area 42 a results fromthe adjacent end and side columns 16 a,16 b, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0051]FIGS. 1, 6 and 7 illustrate another feature of crate 10 accordingto the present invention. As shown, the bottom surface of corner columns18 and floor 12 define a recessed corner nesting area 69. Thus, as shownin FIG. 7, when crate 10 is nested within a prior art half-depth crate500 that has a corner projection 503, nesting area 69 receives a portionof corner projection 503 to enhance the stackability and nestability ofsuch containers.

[0052] As previously noted, typical half-depth crates may only stack(not nest) with similar half-depth crates due to their construction,while low-depth crates typically are nested within similar low-depthcrates. Thus, crates according to this invention provide for dualapplication in that it may nest within similar container 210′ (FIG. 19),and it also nests within a half-depth crate 400 of differentconstruction (FIGS. 8a-8 b), as illustrated by second embodiment ofcrate 110. Accordingly, crates according to the present inventionprovide efficient bottle containment having an optimally sized footprintsimilar to a non-nestable half-depth crate, while allowing fornestability both with similar crates and with non-nestable half-depthcases having a similar footprint. As shown in FIG. 8b, the outer surfaceof top band 114 is vertically disposed and coplanar with the outersurface of half-depth crate 400.

[0053] FIGS. 9-20 illustrate a third embodiment of a crate 210 accordingto the present invention. Features similar to those of the firstembodiment have a corresponding reference number with a “2” prefix.Crate 210 includes a sidewall 220 and end wall 222 construction having atop band 214 with an interior surface 224 and an exterior surface 226.Exterior surface 226 of top band 214 is defined by a plurality of ribbedmembers projecting therefrom, which includes a plurality of horizontallydisposed ribbed members which are oriented generally parallel to eachother and designated as upper rib portion 230, intermediate rib portion232, and lower rib portion 234. Upper and lower rib portions 230 and 234define, respectively, the upper edge 231 and lower edge 233 of bandmember 214. Exterior surface 226 also includes a plurality of verticallydisposed rib portions 236 extending around the perimeter of band member214. Exterior surface 226 is vertically disposed and has little or notaper associated therewith.

[0054] Ribs 230-236 enhance the strength of crate 210 while usingrelatively less material and are particularly advantageous when used inassociation with automate lifting devices. When crates 210 are stackedupon a pallet in layers, these ribs define a generally planar surface bywhich the lifting device may grasp crates efficiently. Upon gripping, acompressive force is distributed among the crates and ribs 230-236 mayserve to catch onto corresponding ribs of an adjacent crate to enhancethe support of adjacent crates and impede the separation and translationdown of crates in a layer. When adjacent crates 210 are in a layer ofcrates being lifted, should one crate begin to slip, it is contemplatedthat, for example, upper horizontal rib 230 of crate 210 may cooperatewith ribs 232 and 236 of the adjacent crate to impede slippage.

[0055] Columns 216 that define side pockets 267 of crate 210 providesignificant containment and wrap-around for bottles adjacent sidewalls220 and end walls 222, as well as in the corners. This provides for morebottle surface contact and thus better bottle and load stability.

[0056] While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate anddescribe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used inthe specification are words of description rather than limitation, andit is understood that various changes may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A nestable crate for bottles, said cratecomprising: a floor portion having a floor top surface and a floorbottom surface, the floor top surface including a plurality of bottlesupport areas for supporting bottles; and a low-depth wall structureconnected to the floor portion and forming a containment area therewith,the wall structure having a peripherally extending upper band portionhaving an interior surface with bottle contact portions and an exteriorsurface, the low-depth wall structure further having a single-walledlower wall construction comprising adjacent column members which extendbetween the upper band the and floor portion, the wall structureincluding sidewalls and end walls, and adjacent column members havingconcave facing surfaces extending inwardly into the containment area,wherein the bottle contact portions, bottle support areas, and thefacing surfaces define a plurality of bottle receiving pockets extendingaround the periphery of the wall structure for maintaining bottles in avertically upright manner.
 2. The crate of claim 1, wherein the upperband member has an inner surface with a plurality of nesting membersaligned with corresponding column members, such that an outer surface ofthe column members are configured to receive the nesting members of alike crate when in a nesting orientation.
 3. The crate of claim 2,wherein the nesting members have a double-walled construction.
 4. Thecrate of claim 1, wherein the bottle contact portion has a concaveshape.
 5. The crate of claim 4, wherein the bottle contact portion has acurvature corresponding to the facing surfaces.
 6. The crate of claim 1,wherein the bottle contract portion has a single-walled construction. 7.The crate of claim 1 wherein the upper band member and each adjacentpair of columns define a window therebetween which is disposed below theupper band portion.
 8. A low-depth nestable crate for holding bottles,said crate having a low-depth wall structure having sidewalls and endwalls, said crate comprising: a floor member having a floor top surfaceand a floor bottom surface; a band extending around the periphery of thecrate and spaced above the floor member for preventing the bottles fromtipping, the band further having spaced-apart interior projections; anda plurality of columns disposed along the sidewalls and end walls forconnecting the band member and the floor member, the columns beingspaced apart and having a nesting window disposed therebetween, thecolumns having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the columnsprojecting offset inwardly from the band such that adjacent pair ofcolumns define a bottle receiving area for containing one of the bottlestherein, the interior surface of each column having a pair of opposedsurfaces meeting at a centrally disposed surface, the exterior surfaceof the column having a recess to matingly receive correspondingprojections from a similar crate nested therebelow.
 9. The crate ofclaim 8, wherein the interior surfaces of the columns have acylindrically concave surface.
 10. The crate of claim 9, wherein thecylindrically concave surface extends from a lower column edge to anupper column edge.
 11. The crate of claim 8 wherein the band includes aplurality of upright concave inner surfaces, said concave inner surfacesarranged in an alternating manner with the columns and being positionedto correspond to the generally cylindrical bottles.
 12. The crate ofclaim 11, wherein the cylindrically concave surface and its adjacentupright concave inner surface have a similar curvature radius.
 13. Thecrate of claim 8 wherein at least a portion of the band has a singlewall construction.
 14. The crate of claim 8 further comprising upwardlyrecessed bottle top receiving areas on the floor bottom surface.
 15. Thecrate of claim 8 wherein the crate has corner columns connecting thecorner of the band to the floor member.
 16. The crate of claim 8 whereinthe interior projections of the band and adjacent columns have a commonvertical centerline.
 17. A low-depth nestable bottle crate comprising: afloor member having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surfacehaving a plurality of bottle support areas for supporting an array ofbottles in an upright manner; a generally upright band member spacedapart from the floor member and extending around the periphery of thecrate, the band member having an upper surface, a lower surface, anexterior surface, and an interior surface, the interior surface having asingle walled bottle contact area corresponding to the bottle supportareas of the floor member; and a plurality of spaced-apart nestingcolumns connecting a periphery of the floor member with the lowersurface of the band member, the columns including first and secondopposed inner surfaces defining a corresponding vertical recess on thecolumn outer surface, wherein the first inner surface of one of theplurality of columns, an adjacent second inner surface from an adjacentcolumn, one of the bottle support areas and bottle contact areas definea bottle receiving pocket for supporting a bottle in an uprightorientation.
 18. The crate of claim 17 wherein the bottle contact areasare define by arcuate surfaces on the band member interior surface whichare arranged in an alternating manner with the columns and arepositioned to correspond to the generally cylindrical bottles.
 19. Thecrate of claim 17 wherein the first and second opposed inner surfacesand their adjacent bottle contact areas have a similar radius ofcurvature.
 20. The crate of claim 17 wherein the columns are arranged inan alternating pattern with windows disposed therebetween and below theband member.
 21. The crate of claim 17 wherein the band member includesside wall portions and end wall portions, and wherein the side wallportions of the band member include a handle opening formed therein. 22.The crate of claim 17 wherein the corner bottle support area isconfigured such that more than half of the bottle circumference iscontained within the bottle support area.
 23. A low-depth nestablebottle crate comprising: a floor member having a top surface with aplurality of bottle support areas for supporting an array of bottlesthereon; an upper wall member spaced apart from the floor member andextending around the periphery of the crate, the upper wall memberhaving an exterior surface, and also having an interior surface withspaced apart inwardly extending projection members, and bottle contactsurfaces between the projection members; and a lower wall portiondisposed along a plane offset inwardly from the projection members andhaving a plurality of support members for connecting a periphery of thefloor member with a lower surface of the upper wall member, the supportmembers aligned with the nesting projections of the upper wall member,the support members including first and second opposed inner surfacesdefining a corresponding recess on the column outer surface forreceiving the nesting projection of a like crate when nested, the lowerwall structure having a window disposed between adjacent supportmembers.
 24. A nestable bottle crate comprising: a floor member having atop surface with a plurality of bottle support areas for supporting anarray of bottles thereon; an upper wall member spaced apart from thefloor member and extending around the periphery of the crate, the upperwall member having an upper edge, a lower edge, an exterior surface, andalso having an interior surface with spaced apart inwardly extendingnesting projections, and concave bottle contact surfaces between thenesting projections; and a lower wall structure inwardly offset from theupper wall member and having a plurality of support members forconnecting the floor member with a lower surface of the band member, thesupport members vertically aligned with the nesting projections of theupper wall member, the support members including first and secondopposed concave inner surfaces defining a corresponding recess on thecolumn outer surface for receiving the nesting projection of a likecrate when nested, the lower wall structure having a window disposedbetween adjacent support members.
 25. A nestable crate assemblycomprising: (a) a first bottle crate comprising: a floor having a topsurface with a plurality of bottle support areas for supporting an arrayof bottles thereon; an upper wall member spaced apart from the floormember and extending around the periphery of the crate, the upper wallmember having an upper edge, a lower edge, an exterior surface, and alsohaving an interior surface with spaced apart inwardly-extendingportions, and bottle contact surfaces between the inwardly-extendingportions; and a lower wall structure inwardly offset from the upper wallmember and having a plurality of support members for connecting aperiphery of the floor member with the upper wall member, the supportmembers vertically aligned with the inwardly-extending portions of theupper wall member, the support members including first and secondopposed inner surfaces defining a corresponding recess on the columnouter surface for receiving inwardly-extending portions of a like cratewhen nested, the lower wall structure having a window disposed betweenadjacent support members; and (b) a second bottle crate comprising: aplurality of generally vertical sidewalls defining a wall structurehaving an upper surface, outer surface and inner surface; a floorattached to the wall structure and defining a compartment therewith,wherein when the first bottle crate is nested within the compartment ofthe second bottle crate, the lower wall structure of the first bottlecrate is disposed within the compartment of the second bottle crate suchthat the lower edge of the upper wall member of the first bottle craterests upon the upper surfaces of the sidewalls of the second bottlecrate, and wherein the exterior surface of the upper wall member of thefirst bottle crate is generally co-planar with the outer surface of thewall structure of the second bottle crate.